Mixed feelings on Mother’s Day and a last-minute card to celebrate moms or reflect.
Sunday, May 8, 2022
Hi, Happy Mother’s Day. First, I want to acknowledge that this day is hard for some people, including myself. This newsletter has cartoons about moms, of moms, and for moms, plus a downloadable last-minute Mother’s Day card/activity.
I lost my mom in 2015.
Some years Mother’s Day doesn’t bother me, some years it does. A lot of you are new here because of my Passover project. Important holidays like Passover aren’t the same since my mom died.
Of course, this holiday isn’t the same, either. But, I keep finding new ways to make the most of them even though my mom isn’t here. Today, I’m thinking of my grandma, my female friends and family, and my friends who are amazing moms. And, especially my youngest sister, Lexi, who I lean on all the time. Today’s her birthday!
If you’re new to Danielle in Doodles, welcome! I publish this newsletter of my latest doodles and updates most Sunday evenings (today was early for Mother’s Day), and you can see archives here. Doodles are usually about life in NYC, pop culture, holidays, and Jewish culture.
The people who fill the mom void
Some of my friends who fill the void are new moms! ??? I drew some of them.
If you want your own cartoon of a mom or family, reach out!
Download ‘Mom Libs’ — a last-minute Mother’s Day activity
I was trying to think of a Mother’s Day product and struggling. I drew a floral “Mom”, but it wasn’t that exciting. Then I realized I like storytelling and creating experiences. Then I got the “Mom Lib” idea. Fill it out Mad Libs style or use it as a writing guide for a sincere card. It downloads as a two-page PDF, so you can fold it into a card. It was nice to think about it in regards to my mom, too, to spark some memories. I tried it with my grandma, sister, and cousin, and we had a lot of fun. Watch us here
Some dark humor—no mom on mother’s day
This cartoon is my way of expressing how I feel on Mother’s Day, especially when people who don’t know me well ask if I’m visiting my mom. I feel a sense of unfairness that she’s gone and this holiday still exists. I feel connected to her in random places and at unexpected times (most recently when my smoke alarm started chirping and during the movie CODA). I try to look out for signs, if those exist! If she was here, I’d visit her all the time.
If you’re interested, here are my other cartoons about grief “Things that would be easier with my mom” and “5 things I miss about my mom that she doesn’t miss about me” and my standup comedy about the subject.
If you’re celebrating, have a lovely Mother’s Day honoring your mom. Life and moments together are precious. If you’re like me, I hope you can find reflective moments, and that some of this content is relatable or helpful.
xo
Danielle
Didn’t get enough doodles? Follow for more!
GoodNewsLetter: A MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE!! Please donate to our Ukrainian Interfaith Benefit ASAP